MAUI, HI – A California couple found themselves in a harrowing situation when an armed carjacker forced them to abandon their vehicle and seek refuge on a Hawaiian volcano. The incident, which occurred on June 4 along the Piilani Highway in Maui, involved a 29-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man who were driving a rented Ford Mustang.
According to the Maui Police Department, the couple noticed a Toyota Tacoma following them with its headlights off. They allowed the vehicle to pass, but it soon stopped in front of them. The driver exited, brandishing a firearm, and ordered the couple out of their car. The suspect then drove off in the stolen Mustang, leaving the couple stranded.
As the couple began to walk away, they hid behind bushes and boulders when they saw the carjacker returning in the Mustang. The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Christopher Helmer, called out to them, asking if they wanted their car back. During this time, he fired at least one shot, leading the couple to believe they were being targeted.
In a desperate bid for safety, the couple decided to hike toward the summit of the Haleakala volcano. Nearly 24 hours later, they encountered a group of hikers and park rangers who assisted them in reaching the visitor’s center.
Helmer was apprehended four days later while driving the stolen Mustang. Police reported that he was in possession of a loaded firearm at the time of his arrest. Further investigation revealed additional evidence linking him to the robbery, and the Tacoma was also found to be a stolen vehicle.
Helmer is currently being held on $500,000 bail, facing charges that include robbery and carrying a loaded firearm on a public highway. The incident underscores the unexpected dangers that can arise even in seemingly idyllic locations.